SPEAKER: BULLYING POWERS FRIGHTEN NATIONS BY PRESENTING AN UGLY IMAGE OF IRAN

Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Sept 11 2006

Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel said on Tuesday that the world
bullying powers constantly present an ugly and unreal image of Iran
and try to frighten other nations by raising unfair charges against
the Iranian nation.

A report released by Majlis Media Department said that the speaker
made the remark while speaking at the University of Armenia.

"The Iranian nation managed to rid itself of the hegemony of foreign
powers through a religious revolution launched by masses of people
without politically relying either on the West or on the East. Thus
through establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran a new and
independent path was selected," he said.

"The propaganda against Iran’s peaceful nuclear program is the clear
sign of such animosity, which is associated with our nation’s will
to protect its cultural and political identity.

"Besides, Iran’s foreign policy based on friendly ties with other
countries and mutual respect in relations with world nations aiming
to further promote global peace, tranquility and welfare is another
cause for the enemies’ hostile approach," he added.

He referred to the friendly ties between Iranians and Armenians and
compared such friendship to a tree with a deep historical root whose
trunk, branches and leaves are today manifested before our eyes in
solid grandeur.

"Several centuries before the advent of Islam, Armenians considered
Iran as a safe residence and religious difference of ideas have never
created any gap between Muslims and Armenians neither in pre-Islam
nor post-Islam eras.

"They have always lived a comfortable life in Iran and have protected
their rituals and churches. They have had friendly relationships and
close cooperation with their Iranian countrymen," he added.

Turning to multifaceted bilateral relations, Haddad-Adel said that
Iran and Armenia cooperate in various political, cultural and economic
fields.

The speaker said that both sides are determined to expand mutual ties
by making optimum use of each other’s actual potentials and facilities.

He pointed to the life lived by Iranian and Armenian along with each
other in the course of history as the most superior and laudable
example of peaceful coexistence between followers of various religions
in the world.

Underlining that scientific and university interconnection is one
of the options of such relations, he stated, "Fortunately, given the
good potentials of Yerevan State University with a 90-year history,
both sides will benefit from exchange of university instructors,
students and scientific achievements."

Putting the number of Iranian students at 2.5 million, he pointed to
Iran’s trend of growth in various scientific branches and declared
readiness for cooperation with Armenia in the sector.

"Iranology as well as Persian language and literature have long been
taught in Yerevan State University. Iranologists and professors of
Persian language attach great value to such an ancient tradition.

"Armenia is one of the most reputed hubs of Iranology in Caucasia
and Central Asia. After the disintegration of the ex-Soviet Union,
the trend continued more freely and even was strengthened," he said.

The official said that the Armenians’ Interest in Persian language and
literature as well as their attraction to outstanding Iranian poets,
in particular Ferdowsi, is considered as one of the factors for the
spiritual bonds between the two sides.

"University instructors who are bound to promote science and knowledge
in their own countries, have a heavy burden on their shoulders,"
he said.

Haddad-Adel said that such a task is not restricted to advancement of
science and technology in the community rather keeping the nations
updated on the real developments of the world of today is more
significant.

"The facts which were once revealed, will not only result in the
vigilance of nations, but will make them realize the truth and revise
their false ideas formed under the impact of wrong propaganda of the
world tyrannical powers," he concluded.

Haddad-Adel arrived in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, Monday on the
first leg of a two-nation visit to the region.

His official visit takes place in response to the invitation of his
Armenian counterpart.

The speaker is accompanied by a number of executive officials and
Majlis deputies.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress